​And you'll need to know this too: GEMs (Good Energy Makers) are objects, toys, photos, and silly stuff we have in our studio or office ​that remind us to feel happy and do good work.

After living in the south for almost 20 years, I am no stranger to beautiful, "50 shades of green" gardens filled with every shape of buds, flowers and leaves, no matter what time of year. Regardless of the season, the landscape is always going about it's business of growing and greening while keeping its face turned towards the sun. I have to say, it was nice being immersed in that kind of energy all the time, and I took it for granted after awhile.

This fall, I moved to Wisconsin. In time for winter. And, it's, well, not very green. However, I am savoring the contrast between the stark white and mostly frozen landscape and the vibrant colors I became used to. I realize I have missed the quiet hibernation of winter. The inward energy of regrouping. Here, in February, there are no green buds on anything yet, and this is really OK with me. And the contrast I'm talking about is between this time of rest and rejuvenation and the pressure to get going on the new year! make goals! achieve things!

​I'm going to speak for all of us and say that there are times when the ideas, next steps and ways forward seem elusive and half-baked, at best. Sometimes momentum will just not be created! I came across the article below purely by accident, and it's theme about embracing uncertainty seemed so timely with these winter reflections. It is good to be reminded of the value in 'living the questions' instead of contriving some satisfaction out of a to-do list with lines through it. Oh, and you must read it to understand the benefits of caterpillar soup!

​The credit for this article goes to Jamie Zimmerman, MD. I was searching for contact information for someone with the same name, and found this article instead. I was delighted with the coincidence of what she wrote and what I had been thinking and wanting to share somehow. The bio information on her website www.jamiezmd.com is simply stunning with how much she has accomplished in the realm of "meditation medicine" and living with passion and purpose'. When I went to connect with her on Face Book, I was shocked to read a post from her mother, dated October, 2015. Apparently Jamie slipped on some rocks at the beach while vacationing in Hawaii, and drowned after being swept out to sea. She was 31. Toward the end of her post her mother, Jordan Zimmerman, writes "I hope my baby girl's life will inspire you to take action to make our world a better place." So let's do our best to live with passion and purpose, even if what that looks like is sometimes unclear. This good work will find a way to keep on living in the world.